Finding family fun in hidden Easter eggs

By
Kelly McCarthy

March 30, 2013Updated Mar 30, 2013 at 11:05 PM EST

Binghamton, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Hundreds of families looked under trees and behind park benches in search of Easter eggs at Recreation Park. The Children's Charity of Greater Binghamton held its first Easter egg hunt that attracted more people than expected.

Among the crowds of smiling children stood a two-year old boy who was meeting the Easter bunny for the first time.

"This is like his first outing of spring kind of but he likes to run around and play with the other kids,"said Nicole Melville of Binghamton. "I'll remember this being his first Easter egg hunt."

The first Easter event for some kids, but for others it's just another chance to be outside enjoying themselves.

"The turnout was really tremendous," said Jim Worhach of the Children's Charity of Greater Binghamton. "This is the first time we've done this event so we didn't know what to expect and we got close to 400 kids which is really really a lot."

The crowds came paired with excitement from people of all ages, making it hard to keep to a strict schedule.

"We had wanted to start this event at 10 am and when I got here this morning at 8 o'clock there was already kids walking around the park," Worhach said. "I knew we might have to re-think that plan."

The hunt for candy-filled eggs came easy to some skilled searchers. It didn't take seven-year old Dante long to find an egg that won him a brand new bicycle.

"Not even a second," Dante Bertoni of Endicott said. "It's easy. I put three in each hand."

To prepare for the event the Children's Charity filled 3,500 eggs with more than 400 pounds of Easter candy.

"It was chaos but you know a fun chaos," Melville said. "The excitement of the kids, just a good vibe."

It was a time for the Children's Charity to give back to those who help support it.

"No matter what the family situation is, it's never the child's fault," Worhach said. "And that's the reason we're really passionate about putting these events on for kids."

For parents, the afternoon was filled with memories that will stick with them longer than the candy prizes

"Just a smile from ear to ear," Melville said "You know little kids love finding anything to it's just nice to see the smile on his face, being happy and enjoying himself."